I hope to describe my journey through the land of losing weight with the help of the Realize Band. I had one band put in on March 3rd but it became infected and had to be removed. I had a band put back in on June 17th and have hopes of losing 90 pounds.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

So good news and bad news. The good news first, I'm eating real food. Yeah!! I'm not eating lots of it but it's real! Not shakes! Yea! I'm also skinnier than before. Total lost since last August is about 36 pounds, since January 30 pounds.
The bad news is the infection is back in the new incision. It appears that after the steri-strips fell off (like they are supposed to), I hit my stomach on a table ( I remember doing this as it really hurt) and popped two places open in the incision. Those two places are now infected. However, after much discussion and some crying on my part, the PA agreed to culture the incision and then he put me on an antibiotic. He only wanted to do the antibiotic and I wanted to make sure the antibiotic was the right one. Anyway, I am cautiously optimistic that the antibiotic is working. I won't say definitely gone until after the course of antibiotics is finished and the new steri-strips come off and everything is healed. Do I sound pessimistic? I really am just because I don't want to get my hopes up. I am asking everyone to pray that this will heal and life can go on. After all, we have a wedding in 3 1/2 weeks. I have too much to do for this kind of problem :) Everyone sleep well tonight and have a wonderful day tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

One week ago today they put the band back in. I've had no problems, thank you Lord, and hope that will continue. I was getting tired of the protein shakes with fruit, protein powder and whatever else you can put in them. You can't have more than 350 in one of these shakes and sometimes I come close but once this week I went over. I decided I wanted a chocolate one. I took 2 Schwan's low fat frozen chocolate bars (100 cal), 1 scoop protein powder (100) calories, 1 cup of non-fat milk (80 cal) and decided I needed to add just something more. Now I'm already at 290 calories. So, without looking at the calorie content, I put in a tablespoon of peanut butter, but I couldn't taste the peanut butter so I thought to my self, "Self, you can afford to add a little more, this peanut butter can't have too many calories." So, when myself agreed with myself, I added another 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter, mixed it up and it was good. THENNNN, I looked at the peanut butter container. Ooops, 90 calories per tablespoon, so we had 290 + 90 + 45 = 425 calories. Oh well, I was short a few calories the day before........
Sure was a good shake, though.
I saw the PA today (that means Physician's Assistant, for all of you non-medical people out there). I had lost 9 pounds in just over 2 weeks, so if you look at where I started in January, overall I've lost 29.4 pounds and if you get even pickier, you can add the 4 pounds I lost since the previous time I had seen my primary care doctor so I've decided to count it at 33.4 pounds. Hopefully a few more will come off before I'm forced to buy the dress for the wedding as it appears I'm between sizes and that is a pain. I'll start looking in about 2 weeks for that.
Now I get to eat soft and mushy food. I had tuna salad for lunch, only 3 oz though and no liquids with it. You don't get to drink for 30 minutes before or 45 minutes after you eat because it will flush all of the food through the pouch in the stomach and you will eat more than you should because you still feel hungry. How's that for a fact for the day....more than you bargained for, I know, TMI.
All in all, I'm happy with what has happened. But praying for the healing to continue with no nasty bugs is requested.
Have a wonderful day full of God's blessings.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

I had the surgery again on the 15th and got to come home the same day. The surgeon was able to use the laparascope and was also able to take out the scar tissue and close it up to look like one long scar. I'm pretty sore but am home so hopefully there will be no infection. So for a week it's liquids only. I'm branching out and adding protein powder to cream of wheat and potato soup. Not bad and very filling. I'll have to have the rest of the potato soup later this afternoon as I need the protein but am full.
I'm so grateful to everyone for prayers and especially to God for getting me through this. And to Paul for being there. He's a great husband!
I'll check back with you later.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Surgery is set for tomorrow. I have decided that God must eradicate all bacteria that are not good bacteria so that I will have no infection. Now I do not truly expect this to happen because I know the ways of bacteria. I used to grow them for a living. However, I think God can make it to where those little silly bugs do not decide to use me for their home. They have to find other homes now, sorry, I am not a motel (besides they never pay their rent!).
If all goes well, I'll be home tomorrow evening. If there are issues, then we will see what happens. I like the first alternative best.
And another wonderful thing will happen tomorrow. I will be a great-aunt again. My niece, Kathryn, is having her son, Levi, tomorrow. God be with you Kathryn!
I think I'm ready for this. I'm down a total of about 28 pounds between losing and gaining back and losing again. I have a long way to go and with God's help, I will get there. Thanks for all of your prayers.

Friday, June 4, 2010

So the knee is doing great. I'm going back to work on Monday with a few restrictions.
We have permission and a surgery date to put the lap band back in. A different surgeon is doing it this time but he has said that I have gone from low risk to high risk because of the scar tissue from the infection. I am praying that the scar tissue will not preclude him putting the band back in (it is a possibility). He didn't downplay the risks but he is willing to go ahead with it. At least he was willing to talk. Too many doctors don't talk about all of what you need to know to be informed. I've learned that sometimes I have to (figuratively speaking) nail their feet to the floor of the exam room to get the questions answered. I don't feel that is a problem with this doc. Only a little more than a week and we go back to surgery. So we start the protein shakes tomorrow and go from there. Keep praying,ya'll. I need it.

The Traveler

I am the wife of a wonderful, supportive man, the mom of four children, 2 daughter's in law, a son in law, one granddaughter and two grandsons. I work for a company that sends me all over the western US to train and help to validate Blood Bank analyzers and manual work stations.I love my job. I'm trying to become healthier to enjoy my grandchildren for a longer period of time.